Dina Norland and her Snowcat Prince
“To break the curse on the kingdom, Syv, the youngest snowcat prince sets out on a dangerous quest to find the long-lost magical crown of his ancestor and learn the true meaning of bravery and honor..”
This is by far one of the saddest and hardest post to personally write. There was such a strong infusion of cozy euphoria upon reading THE SNOWCAT PRINCE followed by a deep sense of sadness to learn that the creator has recently passed away due to an illness. This post is in honor of Dina Norlund to amplify the beauty of her work.
Oni Press will be donating a portion of the proceeds of THE SNOWCAT PRINCE to Sykehusklovnen, a children’s organization, in Norlund’s honor.
A brave little snowcat
Imagine living in a town where you are supposed to be protected by a family of snow cat deities. Except thanks to a curse from ancient times, all they do is take your money and lounge about indulging in their own self-interests. When the rise of imminent dangers causes these royal slacks to further withdraw into their kingdom, only the smallest of the royal family dares to be brave.
To save them all, the little snow cat prince journeys on his own to find a legendary crown. With this crow, it is believed that it will grant immense power to help protect the kingdom. Along the way, he meets a strange, red-haired unkempt young girl who is beyond adamant in joining him. So begins the little prince’s journey of bravery and truth.
It is a story of growth and gaining courage from facing fears. It is also a a little story to not always believer what you’ve been told. It just takes the effort of your own willpower to widen your horizon. And on top of this story, we are treated a gorgeous graphic novel of beauty and cuteness. The snow cat prince is utter embodiment of adorableness and vulnerability of a blue kitten. It is so hard to forget that you cannot reach through the pages to protect and love this small fur ball.
The world within the story may be cold and full of hardships but the purple and blue palette within the pages instantly transport to a world of warm magic. It is what I consider a cozy little fantasy graphic novel.
THE SNOWCAT PRINCE story may sound similar to those who have enjoyed the anime, RANKING OF KINGS. Except with much less blood and sadness.
Thank you Dina Norlund for creating and gifting the world such a beautiful work. May you rest in peace.
Official statement from Oni Press:
In Memoriam: Dina Norlund (1995 – 2023)
It is with great sadness that we share the passing of beloved Norwegian author and illustrator Dina Norlund, creator of The Snowcat Prince, after a long illness. The Oni family sends heartfelt condolences to Dina’s family and loved ones. With works including Wild, Sprout, Greylegs, and Fern & The Moon Rabbit, Dina was an immensely talented storyteller and an inspiration for aspiring artists around the world who turned to her YouTube channel for drawing tutorials and encouragement. Our hope is to continue to celebrate Dina's legacy through her work.
“Dina was an incredibly talented artist and storyteller,” editor Grace Scheipeter said. “She was such a joy and inspiration to work with, and her passing is a heartbreaking loss. I know her work will continue to inspire young artists, authors, and readers the same way it will inspire me for years to come.”
